Properly cleaned floors in a commercial setting – especially where there’s a high volume of foot traffic – reduce safety risks, ensure a hygienic space, and help to make a vital first impression on customers and other visitors.
According to cleaning and hygiene solutions company Diversey, addressing the complexities of floor cleaning involves categorising the process into two main areas: chemical solutions and tools.
When cleaning hard and resilient floors, prioritising dry-cleaning procedures is essential to eliminate hard particles and fine dust without risking surface scratching. The team at Diversey explain that utilising dry-cleaning with a vacuum or dry mopping with a microfibre will also provide the benefit of enhancing longevity and appearance during subsequent wet cleaning.
If you’re cleaning daily, it’s a good idea to employ a neutral solution, though the application method may vary depending on the surface type. For example, Diversey explains that a surface such as vinyl or homogeneous tile can withstand any wet method, while parquet floors require specific speciality spray cleaning to prevent damage.
When it comes to periodical cleaning, though, a more tailored approach should be considered. If you’re targeting stubborn dirt or grime build-up, alkaline or acid-based products are the way to go. For organic or oil-based residues, alkalis should be chosen. For inorganic contaminants like rust, acids are what you want.
The Diversey team also encourage cleaning companies to think about the flooring material too as you may also need to tailor your cleaning
chemicals even further. For example, vinyl, PVC, rubber, ceramics, non-calcium-containing stone, and epoxy floors tolerate both alkalis and acids, whereas calcium-containing stones such as marble and sandstone require gentler cleaning options.
“Think about the flooring material too as you may also need to tailor your cleaning chemicals even further.”
When cleaning soft floors like carpets, daily dry-cleaning spot removal and utilising water or solvent-based solutions for water-soluble and
insoluble stains are the best options for maintenance.
Periodic care involves dry foam cleaning for most carpets and deep cleaning through injection extraction using specialised low-foam chemicals, however, natural fibre carpets (such as those made from wool or cotton) cannot undergo injection extraction.
Ensuring the longevity and quality of your commercial floors means understanding which chemicals work best to meet cleanliness
standards while also protecting your floors from potential stains and damage.
